Uttar Pradesh's tableau, showcasing the ongoing Mahakumbh at the 76th Republic Day celebrations, won the first prize, while the marching contingent of Jammu and Kashmir Rifles was adjudged the best among the three services. Tripura's tableau, with the theme "Eternal Reverence," won the second prize among the tableaux from states and union territories, according to the DM.
The tableau from Andhra Pradesh, which showcased eco-friendly wooden toys, was adjudged the third-best.
Among the central ministries and departments, the tableau of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs was declared the best.
The best marching contingent among the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and other auxiliary forces was the Delhi Police team.
The ministry said three panels of judges were constituted to assess the performance of the marching contingents from security forces and tableaux from various states, union territories and ministries and departments of the central government.
In addition, an online poll was conducted on the MyGov portal from January 26 to 28 for citizens to vote for their favourite tableau,
in the 'Popular Choice' category.
In the poll, the tableau of Gujarat (Swarnim Bharat: Virasat Aur Vikas) won the first prize, while the second and third positions went to Uttar Pradesh (Mahakumbh 2025) and Uttarakhand (Cultural Heritage and Adventure Sports), respectively.
The 'Popular Choice' award for the best marching contingent went to the Signals contingent.
In the poll, the CRPF marching contingent emerged as the best among the CAPFs and other auxiliary forces.
The award for the best tableau among the central ministries and departments in the poll went to the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto's recent visit to India has been hailed as a resounding success, further strengthening the bonds of friendship between the two nations.
During his visit, President Subianto emphasised the deep cultural and historical connections between India and Indonesia, drawing attention to the significant influence of ancient Indian civilisation,
on Indonesian culture, language, and even genetics.
The state visit, which took place from January 23 to 26, saw President Subianto attending India's 76th Republic Day celebrations as the Chief Guest, at the invitation of Prime Minister Modi.
The visit also witnessed the signing and renewal of five Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) across diverse fields such as,
health, traditional medicine, and maritime security.
Key agreements included an MoU on health cooperation between the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and its Indonesian counterpart, as well as the renewal of a maritime safety and security cooperation agreement between the Indian Coast Guard and Indonesia's BAKAMLA.
Additionally, an MoU was signed on traditional medicine quality assurance between India's Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine and Homeopathy under the Ministry of AYUSH and Indonesia's Food and Drug Authority.
The inaugural edition of the Women's Hockey India League (HIL) 2024-25 came to an end with Odisha Warriors lifting the title with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over JSW Soorma Hockey Club in the Final at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda Astro Turf Hockey Stadium in Ranchi.
Neha Goyal, the winning captain, was the first to find an opening through the left,
linking up with Freeke Moes at the baseline. However, the latter was denied by Soorma’s defence.
Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament: Savita (JSW Soorma Hockey Club)
Upcoming Player of the Tournament: Sonam (JSW Soorma Hockey Club)
Top Scorers of the Tournament:Yibbi Jansen (Odisha Warriors), Charlotte Englebert (JSW Soorma Hockey Club)
Player of the Tournament: Jyoti (JSW Soorma Hockey Club).
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan announced 2025 as the Year of Community, launching a national initiative aimed at fostering unity and inclusion across society. Under the slogan “Hand in Hand,” the campaign reflects the UAE leadership’s vision to build a cohesive and empowered community.
The UAE is home to over four million Indians, who form a vital part of the country’s diverse population. President Sheikh Mohamed’s announcement reinforces the leadership’s commitment to creating a harmonious and inclusive society.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, also shared his support for the initiative, highlighting its focus on unity.
The rate of interest on the Government of India Floating Rate Bonds, 2035 (GOI FRB 2035) applicable for the period January 25, 2025 to January 24, 2030 shall be 6.66 percent per annum. The GOI FRB 2035 was issued on January 25, 2005 by the Government of India to the Reserve Bank of India on private placement basis against the transfer of subordinated debt of IDFC.
The rate of interest of the bonds shall be reset by the Bank every five years at prevailing 5-year yield on Government of India securities as on the last working day before commencement of each period of five years. Accordingly, the coupon of the GOI FRB 2035 has been fixed on the basis secondary market transactions in Government of India securities as on January 24, 2025.
The government approved a Rs 16,300-crore National Critical Mineral Mission, envisaging a total outlay of Rs 34,300 crore spread over seven years, with an aim to achieve self-reliance and accelerate India's journey towards green energy transition.
According a release by the mines ministry, public sector enterprises are expected to contribute Rs 18,000 crore,
to the mission which aims at promoting exploration of critical minerals within the country and at offshore locations.
Critical minerals such as copper, lithium, nickel, cobalt and rare earth are essential raw materials required to fuel the growth of rapidly-growing clean energy technologies and their expanding uses ranging from wind turbines and electricity networks,
to electric vehicles and battery manufacturing.
The mission includes provisions for setting up of mineral processing parks and supporting the recycling of critical minerals. It will also promote research in critical mineral technologies and proposes setting up Centre of Excellence on Critical Minerals.
India and Oman signed a protocol to amend the Double Taxation Avoidance (DTAA) between the two countries and agreed to expedite the talks for early signing of Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
The protocol to amend the DTAA to align it with the international standards on cross border taxation, simplifying tax procedures and promoting greater cooperation,
in tax matters was signed on the sidelines of the visit of commerce and industry Minister Piyush Goyal to Muscat.
Both countries entered into DTAA way back in 1997. The amendments could aid the trade that is expected to grow once the CEPA between the two sides is signed.
During the visit, Goyal co-chaired the 11th Session of the India-Oman Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) with the Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion of the Sultanate of Oman Qais bin Mohammed Al Yousef.
Australia were presented with the ICC Women’s Championship trophy after they won the prestigious 10-team competition that provided a pathway to the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025.
Captain Alyssa Healy was presented the trophy in Melbourne on behalf of the International Cricket Council by Cricket Australia Chair and ICC Director Mike Baird.
Australia have now won all three editions of the championship, which was instituted in 2014 to grow the women’s game and has been instrumental in ensuring more women’s cricket tours over the past decade.
Meg Lanning lifted the trophy the first two times, when it was played from 2014-16 and 2017-20 featuring eight teams – Australia, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan,
South Africa, Sri Lanka and the West Indies. Bangladesh and Ireland were added in the third edition played from 2022-2025.
The top five teams, along with hosts India qualified directly for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 while the bottom four get another chance to make it through a Qualifier.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has, by an order dated January 24, 2025, imposed a monetary penalty of Rs. 1.50 lakh (Rupees One Lakh Fifty Thousand only) on The Kheralu Nagrik Sahakari Bank Limited, Dist. Mehsana, Gujarat (the bank) for non-compliance with directions issued by RBI on ‘Investment by Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks’ and ‘Know Your Customer (KYC)’.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has, by an order dated January 23, 2025, imposed a monetary penalty of ₹5.50 lakh (Rupees Five Lakh Fifty Thousand only) on Marketyard Commercial Cooperative Bank Limited, Unjha, Dist. Mehsana, Gujarat (the bank) for non-compliance with certain directions issued by RBI on ‘Donations / Contributions for public /
charitable purposes out of profits of UCBs’, ‘Donations to Trusts and Institutions where Directors, their relatives hold position or are interested’, ‘Loans and advances to directors, their relatives, and firms / concerns in which they are interested’ and ‘Know Your Customer (KYC)’.
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has launched the enhanced Certificate of Origin (eCoO) 2.0 System, a significant upgrade designed to simplify the certification process for exporters and enhance trade efficiency. This upgraded platform offers several user-friendly features, such as multi-user access, which enables exporters to authorize multiple users under,
a single Importer Exporter Code (IEC). Additionally, the system now supports Aadhaar-based e-signing alongside digital signature tokens, providing greater flexibility. An integrated dashboard offers exporters seamless access to eCoO services, Free Trade Agreement (FTA) information, trade events, and other resources.
The platform also introduces an in-lieu Certificate of Origin feature, allowing exporters to request corrections to previously issued certificates through an easy online application process.
As of 1st January 2025, the electronic filing of Non-Preferential Certificates of Origin has become mandatory via the eCoO 2.0 platform, and is available to exporters at,
under the “Get Certificate of Origin” section. This trade facilitation initiative has been streamlining the certification process, and improving turnaround times for exporters, marking a significant advancement in enhancing the Ease of Doing Business.
DGFT has introduced the procedure for availing online Back-to-Back Certificates of Origin (Non-Preferential).
These certificates cater to goods not of Indian origin, intended for re-export, trans-shipment, or merchanting trade. Issued based on documentary evidence from the foreign country of origin, the Back-to-Back CoO ensures transparency and accuracy by explicitly mentioning details of the origin and supporting documents.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has confirmed that Geoff Allardice has decided to step down as ICC Chief Executive. Allardice’s decision comes amid concerns over Pakistan’s readiness to host Champions Trophy 2025, starting next month.
Mr Allardice joined the ICC in 2012 as ICC General Manager of Cricket, joining from Cricket Australia where he held the role of Cricket Operations Manager. He was appointed as the ICC's CEO in November 2021, having previously served as the acting CEO for eight months.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced New Zealand’s Amelia Kerr as the winner of the prestigious Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy for ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year.
Acknowledging the outstanding female cricketer across all formats of the game during the calendar year,
The 24-year-old Amelia Kerr became the first Kiwi to receive the honour following an exceptional 2024 where she led the White Ferns to their maiden ICC Women’s T20 World Cup title. The Cricketer overcomes South African skipper Wolvaardt, Sri Lanka’s Chamari Athapaththu and Australia’s Annabel Sutherland to win the award.
The International Day of Clean Energy on 26 January was declared by the General Assembly (resolution A/77/327) as a call to raise awareness and mobilize action for a just and inclusive transition to clean energy for the benefit of people and the planet.
26 January is also the founding date of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA),
a global intergovernmental agency established in 2009 to support countries in their energy transitions, serve as a platform for international cooperation, and provide data and analyses on clean energy technology, innovation, policy, finance and investment.
